Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-19

comp. Vsh the most favorable results If the
bill sh, ,uld become law. II has the
support NJ not only large maiority OF
the comm ttee on naval affairs. but also
of two seer, 'taries of the nayv, of the adj
miral, and of the chiefs of several bureaus
IS now consti, uted.
will not read from the reports of the
present secretary, though they are able,
exhaustive and coryinc cling as to the press
ing necessity of con soIidatipg tie duties
and functions of the bureaus of construc-
| ton end repair. steam engineering and
equipment and recru Ting under one
head.
! Il will be seen that the committee have
abundant and trustworthy authority for
She proposition. In this particular we
were not acting upon a faQciful theory,
nor cropping in the dark, nor relying spon
our own unsided selves.
But there are sources, other snd higher
than those mentioned, from which we
drew the information that induced the
committee to recommend such eotion to
the house. One of these sources is to De
found in the recorded expression of the
admiral-an officer full of years and of
h1nor>, laborins to crown the achieve
ments OF g long and an active life with
the restoration of the naval department
to its ancient efficiency, economy, and
renown.
Can any unprecedented person, Mr..
Chairman, with The faets that | have laid
before the committee, hesitate in the
conclusion that radical and a speedy
reform is necessary to the proper and
economical purchase and distribution OF
supplies for The naval department?
The bill, it is confidently believed. will
ford the requisite relief, and If enacted
into q statute we may surely expect bet
ter and more satisfactory results from
future appropriations.
We now come to the third most dis
tinguishing feature of the measure, which
is TO be found in the niuth section, and
provides for board of council TO con-
slder and report upon such questions re-
lating to naval affairs and naval policy as
shall be referred to it from time to time
by the secretary.
There can scarcely be doubt as 20 the
propriety OF establishing such q Board.
| existence is absolutely essential to 8
wise and successful administration. 1t is
in accordance with the genius of our in
situations that the secretary is taken from
the walks Of civil life. Lie undertakes
the management of affairs that often re-
quire technical skill and long experience
in order that they may be properly di-
rected. He has no such Skill and pos
ses es no such experience. This board
without either administrative or eX=cu-
tive powers, will supply that which is
lacking. Thus assisted the secretary will
b. enabled to act promptly, vigorously
and judiciOusly. His decisions Will be
received with respect and his policy will
command approval.
With this explanation, Mr.. Chairman f
the more important provisions Of this
important bill, l will conclude. [ trust
that 1t will receive the earnest and care
full consideration of the committe As
have before stated, it should not be re-
garded as d party measure. 1t cerIainlv
mas not been prepared and presented
with q view to party advantage or sac
cess. Whatever concerns the army and
the navy should be viewed and disposed
OF from non-partisan standpoint, and
the efforts of ALL Democrats and Republic
cans alike, should be to do that which
will insure the speedy revival of our
supremacy upon the seas and the early
restoration of our decaying navy Yards to
acondition of thorough fliciency."